With limited space for programs and new materials, and thousands of books in storage, representatives of Parkland Community Library have asked South Whitehall commissioners for help planning a building expansion at the existing location along Walbert Avenue, next to the South Whitehall Township Municipal Complex.

Library Director Debbie Jack told the board, at its Feb. 1 meeting, the present 5,400-square-foot facility is inadequate.

By adding 2,000 square feet to 7,000 square feet, the library would have additional room for meetings and would be able to schedule more than one event at a time.

With the extra space, the library would be able to have preschool story time, programs or community functions going on simultaneously, Jack said.

Former library board President Karl Siebert said the board has been considering how the library can better serve the community, how it can handle the limited parking situation, and where an expansion can fit on the site.

“We’re very much at the beginning of this just now,” Siebert said. “We have just under $3 million saved.

“We should be able to fund this and have some for operations.”

Commissioner Glenn Block expressed agreement with the concept of moving forward and collaborating for the betterment of everyone.

Dr. Barry Cohen, who recently took over as library board president, asked whether someone from the township could meet with library representatives to discuss the matter.

Commissioners President Christina “Tori” Morgan commented on the library’s proposal.

“Let’s keep the lines of communication open,” Morgan said. “Let’s set up a work group to continue the process.”

Jack told The Press the library has abandoned the idea of building a facility at another site.

“We can’t build without the public’s support of a referendum,” Jack said. “They have said ‘no’ twice for two different sites, so we’re going to see how we can make our current building better for the community.”